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Government Audit Uncovers Over 200,000 Ineligible Beneficiaries in Farmer Input Support Program

Chief Editor
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Government Audit Uncovers Over 200,000 Ineligible Beneficiaries in Farmer Input Support Program

More than 200,000 ineligible individuals were found to have benefited from the 2024/2025 Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), according to Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa. The revelation follows a forensic audit conducted by the government, aimed at identifying irregularities within the subsidy program.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka, Mr. Mweetwa, who also serves as the Chief Government Spokesperson, disclosed that the audit uncovered thousands of civil servants and other formally employed individuals among the beneficiaries, despite their ineligibility.

“The audit revealed that over 7,000 civil servants were benefiting from FISP, alongside more than 150,000 other ineligible individuals,” Mr. Mweetwa stated. Additionally, he noted that over 1,000 people were found to be receiving support from both FISP and the Food Security Pack, a program intended to assist vulnerable households.

In response to the findings, Mr. Mweetwa announced that the government has taken corrective action by replacing over 200,000 ineligible beneficiaries with new, qualifying farmers.

Meanwhile, the minister also disclosed that the Ministry of Justice is set to announce the roadmap for constitutional reforms on Wednesday, signaling further efforts by the government to enhance transparency and governance.

The findings of the audit underscore broader concerns about system inefficiencies and potential abuse of public resources in social welfare programs. The government has yet to confirm whether further investigations or legal actions will follow.

Zambia’s New Policy: Teachers Now Paid Before Reporting for Duty

Lusaka Times Editor
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Zambia’s New Policy: Teachers Now Paid Before Reporting for Duty

LUSAKA – In a bold move to enhance efficiency in the education sector, the Zambian government has introduced a policy ensuring newly recruited teachers receive their first salaries before assuming their duties.

Information and Media Minister Cornelius Mweetwa announced the initiative during a press briefing, describing it as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to education and civil service efficiency.

Under the new system, once a teacher is hired and issued an admission letter, their details are immediately submitted to the Ministry of Finance for salary processing.

“The moment a teacher is recruited and given their admission letter, their name is sent to the Ministry of Finance, and they start receiving their salaries even before reporting to their assigned schools,” Mweetwa explained.

He emphasized that this approach reflects the government’s commitment to financial discipline and the welfare of education workers.

Mweetwa noted that the government only recruits teachers when budgetary provisions are already in place, ensuring timely salary payments.

“Unlike previous administrations, we do not hire teachers without first securing funds for their salaries. This guarantees that new recruits are paid without delays, demonstrating our prudent fiscal management,” he said.

The announcement comes as the government continues its large-scale teacher recruitment drive. After hiring 4,200 teachers earlier this year, an additional 2,400 educators will be recruited to fill vacancies created by retirements, resignations, and other factors.

Since President Hakainde Hichilema took office in 2021, the government has recruited 41,916 teachers, all of whom have been placed on the payroll without salary delays, according to officials.

Mumba: leader with track record

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Mumba: leader with track record

… running for veep once again with his focus on genuine football development

By Benedict Tembo

For Justin Mumba, his humble personality and strategic football leadership is exemplified and set to inspire the next generation of administrators.

Mumba, the incumbent Football Association of Zambia vice-president is a football administrator of note, with a proven track record that has driven results based on one word – excellence.

Because of success and his unmatched passion, Dr Mumba has yet again offered his service to the leadership of FAZ and will be recontesting his position as vice president of FAZ.

“As a qualified and dedicated football administrator, I have spent over two decades involved and shaping Zambian football through creativity, innovation, and a deep passion for the game. My journey began in 1995 with Zesco United Football Club where I played a key role in the club’s transformation, emanating from a nonentity to a powerhouse in Zambian football,” he says.

Under his watch, results were driven through execution with a focused secretariat staff and supportive executive committees.

With Zesco as a third force in Zambian, Mumba helped the Ndola based giants win promotion to the Super League in 2004.

Two years later, the club won the Mosi Cup in 2006, the Coca Cola Cup 2007, the Barclays Cup (now Absa Cup) a record five times and the Charity Shield four times.

Other accolades include winning the Super League six times and emerging as runners up five times.

The ‘Team Yaziko’ also qualified for the CAF Champion League semi-finals in 2015 and the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals in 2016.

“As FAZ vice-president from 2021, I am proud to be part of the FAZ Executive Committee which had done relatively well during our term,” Dr Mumba said

During his tenture, FAZ implemented the decentralisation of football administration across 10 provinces. Under this arrangement, the provincial executive committees are now managing football programmes within their regions.

“As FAZ, we have continued giving equipment support and grants to 720 teams across the 10 provinces including the provincial administration, a very expensive but worthwhile undertaking. We want to enhance funding to provincial offices and provincial teams and also through capacity building in provincial leagues to drive strategic direction and business models to Leagues and attract sponsorship,” Dr Mumba said.

He said this will enable leagues to improve and make team ready to play in ZPL once they earn promotion to the Premier League and/or sell players to ZPL teams.

“It is our belief that all provinces get to fully set up provincial teams for u-13, u-15, u-17, and u-20 for both boys and girls to ease the selection of players for junior national teams. Referees match officiating and transport fees in our provincial leagues remain a priority area to motivate them for the work they continue doing,” Dr Mumba said

Having been part of the FAZ League restructuring committee that led to the setting up and delinking of the ZPL from FAZ, he believes the ZPL will now run professionally and profitably under its board and grow the ZPL brand to attract more sponsors to make the leagues attractive.

“The successful league delinking from FAZ shall see our leagues under ZPL grow and our teams will be able to compete and challenge for honours in CAF champion League, Confederation Cup and CAF Women’s Champions League. Our clubs have done it before with Power Dynamos winning the Mandela Cup in 1991, Nkana reaching the finals of the CAF Champion League in 1990 and ZESCO United in 2016 getting to the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League,” Dr Mumba said.

He hopes to see women leagues and National Division One (men) grow and attract sustainable sponsorship deals.

“We can only thank companies and individuals for keeping the game going. We extend our gratitude to the ZPL board for the smooth take off and we believe they will bring in much-needed sponsorship. With modern technology in football, our clubs have not remained behind after FAZ acquired GPS equipment for all Super League clubs for men and women, through the FIFA Forward Programme,” Dr Mumba said.

He said further efforts to acquire GPS equipment for the other teams in ZPL (National Leagues for men and women) shall be made so that all ZPL teams are exposed to modern technology to improve our game.

Dr Mumba said at the time of taking office in 2021, the senior national team had not qualified for Afcon three consecutive times despite winning the COSAFA Cup by the senior and junior teams for both genders.

“I was privileged to be appointed chairman for football development and chairman of the national team’s subcommittees. Our focus was to see that our national teams get back to qualifying for the Africa Cup as a starting point. With the support of the FAZ President and Executive Committee, our teams did relatively well during our four years in office,” he said

The under-17 and under-20 boys qualified back-to-back for the Africa Cup and won the Cosafa Cup while the Under 20 girls won Cosafa while the Under 17 girls won the Cosafa and qualified for the World Cup. “The senior women’s team qualified back-to-back for WAFCON, back-to-back for Olympics and qualified for the World Cup. The senior men’s team qualified back-to-back for AFCON and the CHAN,” Dr Mumba said

He said going forward, FAZ intends to build on the achievements have national teams to start competing for honours at major tournaments.

“Efforts have been put in place to find additional sponsors for our national teams to supplement Government support in funding both men and the women’s senior nation teams. Sponsorship will also be extended to junior national teams,” Dr Mumba said

During his term, FAZ facilitated training programmes for coaches in E, D, C, B, A and CAF pro – licenses, training of coaches in scouting to ensure there are coaches in all the 10 provinces for talent scouting/identification.

“Furthermore, training for referees and match commissioners was conducted. We held workshops for administrators. Plans are underway to bring in CAF and FIFA Instructors to conduct further training and workshops to empower coaches, referees, match commissioners and administrators (provincial excos, ZPL clubs and provincial clubs) so that everyone is brought to speed with modern trends of football in coaching, refereeing and administration,” Dr Mumba said

He said football has evolved with technology playing a big part and Zambian coaches and referees need to be up to date if they are to develop football and be able to compete with the best.

“Through the FIFA Forward funding, FAZ has been able to rehabilitate four stadia albeit with challenges and delayed completion. We also managed to secure a modern luxury bus for the senior men’s national team and GPS equipment for all national teams,” Dr Mumba said.

He said the GSP will help with the modern technology used in football.

“There are plans to build a new Technical Centre with support from FIFA on 90 hectares of land situated in the Chongwe area. Our goal is to have good football facilities across 10 Provinces to ensure the development of talent over the years as well as provincial leagues,” he said

Dr Mumba was honored to have been appointed a member of the CAF youth organisating sub – committee which successfully organised youth tournaments for u-23 in Algeria, u-20 in Egypt, u-17 in Algeria in 2023.

“This gave me a great experience which shall come in handy when organising tournaments in our country. The committee will this year organise the u-17 in Morrocco and u-20 in Ivory Coast. It’s time to build on what we have achieved and deliver the much-needed results and let our works speak for us,” he said.

Who Was the Worst President of Zambia?

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Who Was the Worst President of Zambia?

By Chanda Chisala

Earlier this year, Dr. Field Ruwe, a veteran Zambian writer based in the U.S. compared the 7 presidents that Zambia has had and declared that Kenneth Kaunda was the “best” president in Zambia’s short history. This was a shocking verdict, especially for anyone who actually lived under the traumatic rule of Kenneth Kaunda.

Threatened by the resurgent political clout of the charismatic Simon Kapwepwe, Kenneth Kaunda banned all opposition parties in the early 1970s, under the pretext of promoting national unity. From then on, he conducted sham elections in which his victory (against himself) got bigger even as the economy got worse, reaching nearly 100 percent of the vote by his last two elections. When he finally allowed other parties to contest the elections, he was resoundingly defeated and there was a renewed sense of freedom and hope in the air for the first time. The jubilations around Zambia were bigger than when Zambia won the Africa Cup of Nations.

So, let’s be clear: a person who was overwhelmingly rejected by the people at his first attempt to allow real elections can not possibly be the best president that a country has had, especially if your metric has anything to do with economics. The reason the Zambian people booted out Kaunda was precisely because of the massive suffering that his expensive spending policies had produced. Dr. Ruwe’s claim that these policies achieved “self-reliance” for Zambia is a strange assessment given that the entire aim of such welfare policies is to make people dependent on the government’s endless “subsidies.”

The economic problems that the UPND is trying to solve today were not created by the PF. The problems that the PF was trying to solve were not created by the MMD. All the economic problems that all these political parties have been grappling with were created by Kenneth Kaunda and his United National Independence Party which was innocently committed to the suicidal philosophy of socialism.

Failing to recognize this simple fact is why we keep going round in circles because we haven’t learnt from the past. We eliminate one subsidy only to replace it with another one, and we even add more wasteful social “cash” programs that are reminiscent of Kaunda’s misguided policies.

The only way to emancipate Zambia is to completely eradicate anything that resembles the dangerous policies that Kenneth Kaunda pursued. We still toy with those policies because they were ingrained in us through his endless propaganda in schools and state-controlled media.

Thus the current government is trying to give away as many free things as possible, like Kaunda did, which is only hurting businesses as they have to maintain crippling levels of taxation and costly regulations. The opposition parties are really not any better as they don’t seem to have a clear concept of why the ruling party has failed, which is why they are all over the map in their attacks against the president. There is even an opposition party president that has vowed to fully return to Kaunda’s policies and has proudly named his party “the Socialist Party.” Imagine if he had formed his party one year after Kaunda was booted out and if he had told the people back then that he was trying to revive Kaunda’s policies. He is lucky that the current generation of young voters did not live through the dark cloud of tangible pain brought by Kaunda’s socialist nonsense of “humanism.”

Recent Articles from author:

How to End Zambia’s Poverty

Hichilema Should Have Implemented Sata’s Idea

President Hichilema is a Good Man, But His Policies Can’t Fix the Economy

Should Zambia Really Return to Socialism?

The author, Chanda Chisala, is the Founder of Zambia Online and Khama Institute. He is formerly a John S. Knight Fellow at Stanford University and Visiting Scholar to the Hoover Institution, a policy think tank at Stanford. You can follow him on X @chandachisala.

Nine Drown In Boat Accident

Chief Editor
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Nine Drown In Boat Accident

Nine people have drowned while the search for one missing person has continued after the boat they were traveling on capsized in Chisaka stream in Kawambwa district, Luapula Province.

Six others survived the incident after managing to swim to the riverbanks.

The accident involved workers from the Kawambwa Sugar Plantation Company who were heading to work around 04:00 hours this morning.

Mpambashe Member of Parliament, Justine Kapema, confirmed the tragic event to ZANIS, revealing that nine bodies have been recovered and a search is still underway for one missing person.

Mr Kapema explained that the boat was transporting the Kawambwa Sugar Plantation workers to their workplace when the incident occurred.

And Chief Kabanda of the Chishinga people of Kawambwa expressed his deep sadness over the tragic accident.

The Chief has since appealed to government to expedite the construction of a bridge across the Kabanda River to prevent such accidents in the future.

“I am appealing to the government to speed up the construction of the bridge to help prevent such incidents from occurring again in the near future,” Chief Kabanda said.

The coxswain of the boat, who survived the accident, explained that the strong current in the river was a major factor, recounting that the paddle he was using broke after getting stuck, which caused the boat to lose control and eventually capsize.

“As I was paddling, the paddle got stuck and broke. That’s when the boat lost control due to the strong current and then capsized,” he said.

Against the Desperate Defense of HH’s 2026 Prospects: On Kaping’a’s Misleading Claims

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Against the Desperate Defense of HH’s 2026 Prospects: On Kaping’a’s Misleading Claims

Lusaka Times contributor Prince Bill M. Kaping’a, who claims the title of “HH Mpaka 2031 People’s Alliance National Coordinator,” sought to divert attention from pressing issues confronting Zambians to prop up President Hakainde Hichilema’s second term chances, but failed miserably. He didn’t address the dying Kwacha, the escalating cost of living, or the widespread poverty gripping the nation. Even the title of his piece, “It Is Definitely HH Mpaka 2031, But It Won’t Be Easy for Most MPs” is a cry of desperation.

Kaping’a rightly notes that 2026 will present challenges for the United Party for National Development (UPND) in Parliament, but it is wrong to limit this predicament to Members of Parliament. President Hichilema and his MPs are equally vulnerable; the wrath of voters awaits them in the next election.

Kaping’a’s unwavering confidence in HH’s prospects for 2026 is simply rooted in propaganda. For example, he lauds Hichilema for creating youth employment, yet he overlooks one critical detail: many of these government jobs went to well-connected individuals, leaving a significant number of young people disenchanted and resentful. For every youth employed, countless others remain jobless and are more likely to abandon Hichilema when they cast their ballots.

Kaping’a fails to grasp that in economics, government jobs do not equate to genuine job creation. Economic experts contend that a robust labor market is best measured by private sector performance. The government can hire as many individuals as it chooses—indeed, Hichilema could theoretically employ a million civil servants. However, while such actions may superficially represent job creation, the reality is complex. Expanding the civil service can place undue strain on the national economy, incurring unsustainable expenditures and fostering inflation. Responsible governments recognize the need to streamline the civil service, understanding that civil servant salaries require funding for years to come. Although Hichilema’s actions may appear politically advantageous, the long-term financial repercussions will fall upon Zambians. This exemplifies his superficial grasp of economics.

Moreover, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) represents nothing more than political propaganda—essentially a misuse of public resources. Kaping’a asserts that infrastructure improvements, such as roads and bridges, have benefited from the CDF; however, the question remains: where are these developments? Presidential ideological programs often exist only on paper. Furthermore, while former President Lungu allocated social cash transfers for political motives, this administration has removed or excluded hundreds of thousands of vulnerable individuals from these programs. Even those receiving assistance are not blind to the failures of the Hichilema administration. Thus, the notion that bribing them will yield votes is flawed.

Kaping’a further claims there is no credible opposition capable of unseating Hichilema; in truth, the opposite is true. Hichilema appears intent on suppressing formidable challengers. If Kaping’a is genuinely confident in Hichilema’s chances in the 2026 elections, he should advocate for a transparent electoral process. Hichilema must cease using the Electoral Commission of Zambia, law enforcement, the judiciary, and, notably, the Constitutional Court to stifle his opponents, including Edgar Lungu. Both Kaping’a and Hichilema are aware that Lungu stands a chance of winning in 2026 if a fair contest were held. Hichilema’s only viable route may involve running without Lungu.

Kaping’a’s arguments raise more questions than they answer. His assertion that Hichilema has endeared himself to the masses is perplexing. Is he catering to Hichilema’s fragile ego? A simple ride on public transport or a conversation with street vendors would evoke a different story. These citizens, who constitute the majority of voters, do not echo the praise Kaping’a attributes to Hichilema. While they may fear retribution, they collectively express a sense of betrayal, likening Hichilema to Judas Iscariot. Does Kaping’a truly contend this is the figure to whom they will rally for another term? Such beliefs appear untenable.

Kaping’a’s desperate defense reflects the current state of UPND—a party entrenched in deception and denial. As I remarked during the PF regime, when people are aggrieved, no amount of money can tame them. Good effort, Kaping’a. I hope you witness the unfolding of 2026!

Kapya Kaoma

Republican Progressive Party (RPP) President on Constitution Amendment

Chief Editor
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Republican Progressive Party (RPP) President on Constitution Amendment

The Republican Progressive Party (RPP) is fully committed to playing an active role in the ongoing constitutional amendment process. We commend President Hichilema for his leadership in setting the tone for this important national undertaking. His foresight and commitment to constitutional reform establish the groundwork for a more inclusive, transparent, and people-centered legal framework.

As a party, we pledge to engage constructively in the process and ensure that the voices of all Zambians are heard. We recognize the importance of a constitution that reflects the aspirations of the people and supports the growth and stability of Zambia. Our commitment includes contributing to the amendment of provisions that have historically hindered progress, ensuring that the new constitution promotes justice, equity, and sustainable development for all citizens.
The RPP firmly believes that by participating in this process, we can help shape a constitutional framework that will foster long-term peace, democratic governance, and a more equitable society.

While we applaud President Hichilema’s efforts in appointing more women to key positions, such as 42 out of 81 judges, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Minister of Justice, and other significant roles through the utilization of Section 259 of the Constitution, we believe there is a need to enshrine gender equality into the constitution. The president has shown goodwill in these appointments, but future administrations may not maintain this level of commitment. For this reason, it is essential to ensure that provisions for the appointment of women to positions of authority are enshrined in the Constitution, securing a lasting framework for equal representation in Zambia’s governance structures.

Lesli Chikuse

A Story of Resilience

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A Story of Resilience

At the heart of every successful woman lies a story of resilience, perseverance, and unwavering determination. This weekend Absa Bank Zambia took a moment to honor those stories at a remarkable Women’s Month Celebration Brunch, graced by Vice President Mrs. W.K. Mutale-Nalumango and Hon. Princess Kasune. It was a gathering of inspiring women from all walks of life—each with a journey worth celebrating.

One such story is that of Ms. Elizabeth Kutemba Luneta, a dedicated entrepreneur who for years has been supplying fresh fruits and vegetables to Absa Bank Zambia employees. From her early days at Kafue House to her current location opposite Absa House, Ms. Luneta’s commitment and hard work have made her an integral part of the Absa community.

Recognizing her dedication and entrepreneurial spirit, Absa Bank Zambia took steps to support her growth. She was onboarded onto a Twende account—Absa’s zero-maintenance-fee banking solution designed to empower unbanked individuals. This initiative ensures she has access to the financial tools she needs to expand her business. In addition, she received a K10,000 boost to help scale her operations.

Ms. Luneta’s journey is a testament to the power of opportunity and perseverance. Her story reminds us that success is not just about talent but also about resilience and the willingness to embrace new opportunities.

Ms. Luneta’s story serves as an inspiration to all—proof that with the right support, determination, and hard work, dreams can become reality.

Government Making Positive Strides In Addressing Cybercrime

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Government Making Positive Strides In Addressing Cybercrime

Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Jack Mwiimbu says the government is making positive strides to address cybercrimes and abuse of cyberspace, by working towards strengthening the legal framework governing cyberspace.

Mr Mwiimbu says that his Ministry has since taken the cybercrimes and cyber security bills before parliament to seek support to enact the laws that will curb the abuse of the cyber environment.

Mr Mwiimbu said this in parliament when he made a contribution to President Hakainde Hichilema’s address on the progress made in the application of the national values and principles to the fourth session of the thirteenth national assembly, on February 28th, 2025.

He noted that over the years, the country has witnessed an alarming rise in the abuse of cyberspace which has led, in many instances, to the tarnishing of personalities and loss of property.

The Minister stated that if this is not curtailed, it has the potential to disrupt economic development.

Mr Mwiimbu however expressed concern on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) which has continued to be on the rise despite efforts aimed at reducing it.

“The 42,178 reported in 2024 despite being a reduction from the 42,965 reported in 2023 is way too high. We have since strengthened collaboration and coordination with stakeholders including traditional leadership and civil society organisations,” Mr Mwiimbu said.

He added that drug and substance abuse remained another source of concern with the Drug Enforcement Commission receiving 5, 148 reports in 2024.

The Minister said that 4,269 were investigated and concluded, while the commission busted 85 cartels involved in local and international drug trafficking.

He however noted that to ensure the fight against GBV yields more positive results, the ministry has strengthened collaboration and coordination with stakeholders including traditional leaders and Civil Society Organisations.

The Minister added the incorporation of GBV in the Zambia police service curriculum to ensure that all police officers acquire skills to enable them to professionally deal with GBV cases and assist GBV survivors.

He noted that the President’s address reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to its constitutional values, fostering national unity, social justice, and a more prosperous future.

And on the protection of both private and public property, Mr Mwiimbu revealed that the Zambia Police Service recorded 233 cases of vandalism in which property worth k2, 362,091 was lost, out of which 173 cases were successfully investigated.

The further indicated that correctional facilities have continued to transform the lives of people who find themselves on the other side of the law, while efforts to reduce congestion in the facilities continue to be implemented.

He said that the Ministry will soon complete the construction of six dormitories with a holding capacity of 1,600 inmates at Nansanga in Serenje and the construction of a 1,850-capacity ultra-modern facility in Mwembeshi, and are opening up new open-air correctional centers.

“I would like to urge all Zambians to continue upholding national values and principles because they serve as the foundation for the country’s development and progress,” the Minister stated.
ZANIS

Copperbelt Minister urges Church To Support Constitutional Amendment

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Copperbelt Minister urges Church To Support Constitutional Amendment

Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo has urged the Church to support the proposed constitutional amendments being facilitated by the Government.

The three Church Mother Bodies last week asked the Government to stop the constitutional amendment process until the 2026 general elections were held.

Mr. Matambo said the constitutional amendment is being done in good faith as it involves increasing constituencies, youth and women representation in leadership.

He said President Hakainde Hichilema had no hidden agenda on the Constitutional amendment.

Mr. Matambo said this at the Zambia Baptist Association – University Project Fundraising launch in Ndola.

“Constitutional amendments will facilitate delimitation of vast Constituencies such Lufwanyama and Mpongwe so as to take service closer to the people,” he said.

“I want to emphasize that President Hakainde Hichilema has no hidden agenda when it comes to the amendment of the constitution. The issues which we want to tackle in the amendment of the constitution are those which we find to be challenging every other day. For example the size of Lufwanyama is three times bigger than all the Copperbelt towns put together. Support is needed, you will see when the white paper comes that there is nothing sinister in the proposed amendments. We have a God fearing President who doesn’t hide issues,” Mr. Matambo said.

Chief Machiya of the Lamba people of Mpongwe urged citizens to live by the principles of Christianity as Zambia is a Christian nation.

The Zambia Baptist Association called for support toward the $20 Million Church university project earmarked for Baluba, Luanshya.

Meanwhile, Mr. Matambo and Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe pledged K100,000 together towards the project.

Radio Icengelo News reports from Ndola that Copperbelt UPND officials and the business community made assorted pledges towards the project.

Shall we tell the President….revisit plight of street kids; reform those junkies!

Chief Editor
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Shall we tell the President….revisit plight of street kids; reform those junkies!

In our last epistle, we promised to tackle a matter which is closer to our hearts this week – STREET KIDS!

For those of you who are fond of posting comments, for the sake of it, without bothering to dissect, chew and digest the contents contained therein, we’d implore you to think twice…..this is a delicate and emotive issue.

The police in Lusaka have arrested 47 junkies in Kamwala South….then what next? Are they going to send them to jail? Of course, not! What charges are they likely to be slapped with? Most likely ‘shishita’ (idle standing). Before long, they’d have gone back to their vomit in our communities!

But who are these junkies and where do they come from?

Junkies do not just pop up from the blues in our localities like mushrooms! They come from dysfunctional or broken homes and, of course the streets!

When children arrive on our streets in their droves and earn themselves the nomenclature, STREET KIDS….they mainly eke a living doing odd jobs and asking for alms from the Good Samaritans; and when we refuse to give them anything, they resort to eating from the rubbish bins.

Have you ever bothered to investigate why they’re always ‘glued’ to those small bottles before condemning them?

There are mainly two reasons that make them eventually succumb to the temptation of genkem: 1. Like every human being, they are obviously ashamed to find themselves living a life of shame on the streets. For them to muster some ‘Dutch courage’ or indeed escape from the hell-hole they find themselves in, they seek solace in genkem 2. Most of us can imagine the pain of enduring cold nights in the open air on a hard floor. Genkem is the ‘blanket’ that keeps them warm at night and enable them insulated from the mosquitoes.

Once the street kids transition into adolescence, they obviously become ashamed to continue life on the streets.

What happens next?

They start retreating back to their communities, mainly seeking shelter in the uncompleted shelters. In the fullness of time, they team up with their peers who are equally running away from home due to abuse at the hands of cruel relatives or lack of basic needs. Henceforth, they become like OWLS. During the day, they’ll go into hibernation……mainly keeping themselves busy consuming copious amounts of highly potent alcoholic beverages and smoking marijuana.

By the time night replaces the day, they literally take over the alleys and the streets, lying in wait for their prey. Those kids can be quite something else; if anyone makes a mistake of coming into close proximity with them, they’ll charge on you like hungry wild dogs and dispossess you of all your earthly possessions – phones, money, wrist watches, clothes and shoes! And if you dare pretend to be Rambo and try to fight back….oh boy, oh boy, you’d have booked yourself a ward at the University Teaching Hospital or space at Chingwere cemetery!

For those of you who may not be in the loop; for several years, we had been calling upon successive governments to consider calling for a National Indaba on Street Kids so as to bring all stakeholders on board (the Church, traditionalists, NGOs, political players, corporate world and the donor community) to thoroughly interrogate the problem and identify possible solutions! Alas all our pleas landed on deaf ears!

However, immediately the UNPD formed government and we repeated our calls; government wasted no time acquiescing to our request. It actually had to take us to endure a punishing 365KM marathon walk from Kitwe to Lusaka for us to be heard.

The Ministry of Community Development & Social Welfare finally organised a symposium at the Mulungushi Conference Centre and all who mattered attended. As usual, speeches were made, plenary sessions were held and resolutions were made. What happened up to the resolutions is a matter of guess work as the plight of street kids remains the same!

As we conclude, we would like to appeal to the New Dawn Administration, particularly the responsible ministry to revisit the plight of street kids. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel; the resolutions are already sitting in one of the offces gathering dust.

As for the junkies, this requires a radical approach! Can we take this matter to parliament so that we can come up with the necessary legislative framework which will compel all the junkies to be rounded up and whisked away to the State farms under the auspices of ZNS for them to get ‘cleaned’ as they utilise their energy helping improve the national food security by growing winter maize, beans, onions and raising goats for export to Congo DR and the Arab world, respectively! Why should we always rely on Copper which is a diminishing asset to generate foreign exchange? Don’t even allow the donor community to lecture us about human rights; a good number of our people in the shanties are getting killed and injured by the junkies! Donald Trump has already set the tone by ejecting unwanted people from the land of opportunities!

Until next time. Shalom!

Prince Bill M Kaping’a
Political/Social Analyst

The Hypocrisy of Power: UPND’s Broken Promise on the Rule of Law

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The Hypocrisy of Power: UPND’s Broken Promise on the Rule of Law

When the UPND took office in 2021, they did so on a platform of restoring democracy,upholding human rights, and ensuring the rule of law. Zambians had grown tired of the intimidation, arrests, and abuse of power under the previous Patriotic Front (PF) government,and they voted for change. President Hakainde Hichilema positioned himself as a champion of
democracy, repeatedly condemning the injustices of the past regime.

However, fast forward to today, and the reality tells a different story. The very abuses of power that the UPND condemned under Edgar Lungu’s leadership are now being perpetuated under their own administration. The question is, what has changed?

The Weaponization of the Police Against the Opposition

One of the biggest criticisms of the PF government was how the police were used to intimidate and silence opposition voices. Today, under UPND, the same trend continues:
• Opposition leaders and critics of the government are constantly being summoned by the police
whenever they express dissent.
• Seditious charges have become a convenient tool to suppress those who question the government’s policies.
• Individuals have been arrested on allegations of tribalism simply for expressing their opinions.
• Some opposition members have been arrested and denied police bonds, a clear violation of
their constitutional rights.

This is exactly what UPND leaders, including President Hichilema, used to denounce under the PF government. The same government that once promised Zambians freedom of speech and political tolerance is now using state institutions to silence critics.

Selective Justice and Double Standards

Another major concern is how justice is applied selectively. Under PF, UPND members were frequently harassed, arrested, or denied permits to hold rallies. The new government was expected to end this injustice, but instead, we are seeing the same biased application of the law.
• Government critics face immediate arrests, while UPND supporters who break the law seem to operate freely.
• Opposition rallies and meetings are restricted, while government events go on without interruption.
• Media intimidation is increasing, with journalists and platforms that question the government facing pressure.

These double standards are eroding public confidence in the government. The same methods that led to the downfall of PF are now being repeated under UPND. Have they forgotten that power is temporary?

What Happened to President Hichilema’s Promises?

President Hichilema himself was a victim of political persecution under PF. He spent 127 days in prison on trumped-up charges. He understood firsthand the dangers of a government that weaponizes the police against its opponents.

Yet today, under his leadership:
• The opposition is being treated the same way he was treated.
• People are being arrested for speaking their minds, just as he was arrested for standing up against the PF government.
• Freedom of speech is under attack, just as it was before.

Has the President lost control over his government, or is this deliberate hypocrisy? If the UPND truly believes in democracy, they must immediately stop these abuses and allow political competition to thrive.

A Warning from History
The PF government did not fall because of economic failures alone; they lost power because they disconnected from the people. They became arrogant, ignored public complaints, and used state institutions to suppress political opponents. Today, UPND is following the exact same path.

Zambians voted for change, not a new version of the same oppression. If the UPND does not change course, history will repeat itself. The people will not hesitate to remove another government that betrays its promises.

The question remains: Does President Hichilema know what is happening? And if he does, why is he allowing it? The time for reflection is now. Otherwise, just like PF, the UPND will soon face the consequences of ignoring the people’s voice.

By Alexander Vomo

FAZ Arbitration Tribunal Re-instates Ng’andu For Veep Candidacy

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FAZ Arbitration Tribunal Re-instates Ng’andu For Veep Candidacy

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) wishes to inform its members and stakeholders that the FAZ Arbitration Tribunal has issued rulings on the electoral appeals submitted by various candidates regarding their eligibility for
the upcoming elections.

The has committee re-instated Kabwe Warriors chairperson Mutale Ng’andu on the ballot after the Electoral Committee and the Appeals Committee had declared him ineligible in their sittings.

Additionally, the committee has upheld the decision of the Electoral Appeals Committee in the case of Northern Province chairperson Mwansa Kapyanga,who had appealed the decision of the Electoral Committee and Appeals Committee to declare him ineligible to re-contest his position. This means that Kapyanga remains ineligible to contest in the Northern Province elections set for Friday 21 March, 2025.

Similarly, the tribunal has rejected the appeals of Gideon Mwenya and Pivoty Simwanza, both of whom had sought to contest the position of FAZ Vice President. With this ruling, the decision of the Electoral Appeals Committee stands and the two remain ineligible for the election.

The ruling clears the way for N’gandu to contest the vice presidency joining incumbent Justin Mumba on the ballot.
“This means that Mr. N’gandu is now eligible to contest for the position of FAZ Vice-President in the March 29 elections,” FAZ general secretary Reuben Kamanga said.

Kamanga said FAZ remained committed to ensuring a transparent and fair electoral process in line with its statutes and governance principles.

For and on behalf of:
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA
Sydney Mungala
Communications Manager

President Hichilema Attends Historic Inauguration of Namibia’s First Female President

Chief Editor
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President Hichilema Attends Historic Inauguration of Namibia’s First Female President
President Hichilema and Namibia’s Fifth President and First female Head of State, Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, at State House in Windhoek.

President Hakainde Hichilema joined fellow African leaders on Friday to witness the inauguration of Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as Namibia’s fifth president and first female Head of State at State House in Windhoek.

In a statement following the event, President Hichilema extended warm congratulations to President Nandi-Ndaitwah and commended the Namibian people for conducting peaceful elections. He also praised former President Dr. Nangolo Mbumba for ensuring a smooth transition despite the nation’s recent loss of both a sitting president and its founding leader.

“Today’s inauguration coincides with Namibia’s 35th Independence Anniversary, a remarkable milestone that showcases the country’s progress and resilience,” President Hichilema noted. “Zambia and Namibia share a deep-rooted friendship, forged through our support for Namibia’s liberation struggle.”

Following the ceremony, President Hichilema departed Windhoek for Lusaka, expressing gratitude for the prayers and support from Zambians during his visit.

“Happy 35th Independence Anniversary, Namibia,” he said, reaffirming Zambia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with its neighbor.

President Hichilema returns to Lusaka from Windhoek

Chinese National Killed, Another Injured in Chambishi Shooting

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Chinese National Killed, Another Injured in Chambishi Shooting

A Chinese national has been killed, and another is in critical condition after a shooting at Yongly Investment Limited ZCCZ in Chambishi on Thursday evening.

The victims, identified as Zhai Hui and Chen Zaijun, both 62 years old, were attacked at around 19:00 hours by armed criminals using an unidentified firearm, according to Copperbelt Police Commissioner Peacewell Mweemba.

Zhai Hui was shot in the left side of his chest and died at the scene, while Chen Zaijun sustained a bullet wound to the right side of his stomach. He was rushed to Sinozam Friendly Hospital in Kitwe, where he remains in the Intensive Care Unit.

Police have yet to make any arrests, and investigations into the attack are ongoing.

Authorities have urged anyone with information that could aid the investigation to come forward.

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